Green Bay made some noise this offseason, bringing Luke Getsy back into the fold as offensive coordinator and signaling a defensive shift under new coordinator Jonathan Gannon. For a team that sputtered to an 8-9 record last year, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2018, these aren't minor tweaks. These are foundational changes meant to re-ignite a franchise that’s felt a little stale.
Getsy's return is the one everyone’s talking about on offense. He was the passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2019-2021, a period where Aaron Rodgers won back-to-back MVPs. In 2020, the Packers led the league with 31.8 points per game. The year after, they were still top-10, averaging 26.5. Last season, under Adam Stenavich, that number dropped to 21.8 points per game, good for 17th in the NFL. That’s a significant dip. Getsy's familiarity with Jordan Love is also a huge plus. Love's best season as a pro was in 2023, throwing for over 4,100 yards and 32 touchdowns. He knows Getsy's system, and that continuity is critical for a young quarterback entering his second year as a starter. Thing is, Getsy's tenure as offensive coordinator for the Bears wasn't exactly a masterclass. In 2022, Chicago ranked dead last in passing yards with 130.5 per game. Last season, they improved slightly to 27th with 182.1 yards per game. So, while the familiarity is nice, the actual results from his last OC gig are… concerning. My hot take? Getsy will unlock a more aggressive downfield passing game for Love, but the run-pass balance will still lean too heavily on Love's arm, leading to some frustrating three-and-outs.
On the defensive side, Jonathan Gannon’s arrival suggests a move towards a 3-4 base defense. This is a significant philosophical change from Joe Barry’s more static 4-3 schemes. Gannon had success with this approach in Philadelphia, where his Eagles defense in 2022 ranked second in the NFL in total defense, allowing just 301.5 yards per game. Last year, the Cardinals, despite their overall struggles, showed flashes under Gannon, particularly in creating turnovers with 25 takeaways, tied for 10th in the league. Green Bay's defense last year gave up 20.6 points per game, 10th in the league, but struggled against the run, allowing 128.3 yards per game, 23rd overall. A 3-4 scheme, with its emphasis on versatility and multiple fronts, could better utilize players like Rashan Gary and Preston Smith, allowing them to rush from different angles and drop into coverage more effectively. It also opens up opportunities for more blitz packages and disguised coverages, something Barry rarely deployed.
Don’t sleep on special teams. Rich Bisaccia, the special teams coordinator, is one of the best in the business. Last season, the Packers' special teams unit finished 13th in DVOA, a massive improvement from their long-standing struggles. In 2021, they ranked 29th. In 2018, they were dead last. When you're talking about close games, and the Packers had nine games decided by one score last year, special teams often tips the scales. Having a consistent, reliable unit means fewer costly penalties, better field position, and potentially game-changing plays like block punts or long returns. Bisaccia's presence provides a stability that often gets overlooked but is crucial for a team looking to contend.
Here’s the thing: coaching changes are never a magic bullet. But with Getsy and Gannon, Green Bay isn't just shuffling the deck; they're trying to play a different hand entirely. If Love takes another step forward, and Gannon can truly maximize the talent on defense, the Packers will win 11 games and reclaim the NFC North crown.